KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Opening Day has arrived and the Kansas City Royals are set to begin play in Atlanta with legitimate playoff hopes in their sights.
As the Royals prepare for Game 1 of 162, here’s a glimpse at what the oddsmakers think of Kansas City’s chances this season.
Wins: Over/under 82.5 (-110)
A year ago, the Royals entered the season with a win total set at 83.5 with playoff expectations on the heels of a Wild Card berth and Wild Card series win in 2024. A disappointing 2025 season in which Kansas City struggled to score runs for the vast majority of the year saw Kansas City come up short with an 82-80 record.
The slight step back in 2025 sets the Royals up for 2026 with a similar core.
On DraftKings, the Royals are +11000 to have the most regular-season wins. Those odds are 17th-best in MLB.
Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro (33) talks to Vinnie Pasquantino (9) during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)(Charlie Riedel | AP)
Longest winning/losing streak:
If you want to root for a niche bet with some short-term potential across the entire season, DraftKings is offering a longest win streak or longest losing streak over/under 6.5 games for either direction. Both bets are -110 odds whether you’re betting over or under.
To make the playoffs: Yes +130, No -160 (DraftKings)
The Royals have slightly worse odds to reach the playoffs this year than last. FanGraphs projects the Royals at a 39.7% chance to make the playoffs, which equates to approximately +152.
Kansas City Royals’ Maikel Garcia celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)(Charlie Riedel | AP)
To win the AL Central: +225 (DraftKings)
Last year’s AL Central division winner was the Cleveland Guardians, but oddsmakers expect them to take a step back in 2026. Cleveland has the third-best odds to win the division this year with Detroit and Kansas City taking the top two spots in the Central.
Detroit is nearly even odds to win the division after coming up a game shy of it last year. Kansas City, which finished 6 games out of the division lead a year ago has the second-best odds at +225.
Cleveland (+425), Minnesota (+900) and Chicago (+3500) are considered longshots to win the division this year, with Minnesota in particular taking an organizational step back.
To win American League: +1300 (FanDuel), +1400 (DraftKings)
Kansas City is right in the middle of the American League odds to win the pennant in 2026. With the Yankees (+450) and Seattle (+480) as the favorites on FanDuel, Kansas City would have to shock some people to reach the World Series.
Other teams that are ahead of Kansas City in the odds include the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers and Houston Astros.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans throws during the first inning of the first game in a baseball doubleheader against the Colorado Rockies, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)(Charlie Riedel | AP)
To win World Series: +3000 (FanDuel/DraftKings)
The Royals have the 14th-best odds to win the World Series among all teams in baseball. However, the odds are heavily bunched among teams not named the Los Angeles Dodgers. Los Angeles is the only team with less than 10/1 odds.
Last year, the Royals were +4000 to win the World Series despite a higher season win total and better odds to make the playoffs.
AWARDS
Bobby Witt Jr. to win American League MVP (+450 FanDuel, +500 DraftKings)
New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge is a three-time American League MVP and has taken home the award in tree of the last four seasons, but if anyone is going to supplant him from the top spot, the Royals superstar shortstop would seem to be the top candidate.
For the second year in a row, Witt Jr. enters the year with the second-best odds to win AL MVP, behind Judge.
Last year, Witt Jr. led the MLB in hits despite taking a step back in batting average, home runs and RBI during his fourth season. If he can put together a third 30-30 season and lead the Royals to the playoffs, Witt Jr. would have a good chance to become the first Royal since George Brett in 1980 to win the award.
Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. (7) avoids the tag of Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh to score a run during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)(Stephen Brashear | AP)
Cole Ragans to win AL Cy Young (+1000 DraftKings, +1300 FanDuel)
After an All-Star 2024 for Kansas City, Ragans took a step back in 2025 due to health. Ragans missed time with a left rotator cuff strain from mid-June until late September.
The injury limited him to just 13 starts in 2025, which he went 3-3 with a 4.67 ERA in.
If he can bounce back and be available for 30+ starts like he was in 2024, Ragans figures to be a contender for the award. Oddsmakers have him behind Tigers ace Tarik Skubal and Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet for third-best odds to win the award.
Kris Bubic, Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo each have longshot odds as well, each falling in the range of +8000 to +15000.
Carter Jensen to win AL Rookie of the Year (+550 DraftKings, +800 FanDuel)
The Park Hill High School alum and Kansas City, Missouri, native hit .300 during his 60 at-bats as a big-leaguer last September. If he can continue to do that for his first full season, Jensen will be one of the contenders for the American League Rookie of the Year award. His odds on DraftKings only trail Tigers rookie shortstop Kevin McGonigle.
Kansas City Royals’ Carter Jensen celebrates on second after hitting a two-run double during the third inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)(Charlie Riedel | AP)
Player props:
Bobby Witt Jr. 30.5 home runs (over -106, under -120 FanDuel)Vinnie Pasquantino 26.5 home runs (over -120, under -106 FanDuel)Kris Bubic 126.5 strikeouts (over -113, under -113 FanDuel)
Editor’s note: This is not gambling advice. If wagering, please bet responsibly. Odds are subject to change.
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